Friday, 9 December 2011

Postcard Friendship Friday - Guildford High Street 1905

Back in October I started a project entitled Guildford and District. Based loosely on an earlier shelved project. This postcard can also be seen over on that site, with quite a few others already posted and more to come!

This postcard intrigued me. It was not just about the view, which is always lovely to see, but it is about the people who sent the card and the journey they were physically on, its about the message they sent and the person they sent it to. So many questions......

The Message
"We spent the day here & had a lovely time - came to London July 25th will sail for home Sept 29th if all is well. Aunt Lina (or Ina)."

The Address
Miss Anna Davis
Lansford
Pennsylvania
U.S. America

The Details
The front postmark is dated 1.30pm on Aug 8 1905 with a Bournemouth stamp.
The rear stamps show again 1.30pm on Aug 8 1905 with a Bournemouth stamp and shows it arrival in the USA with the stamp of Lansford PA Aug 19 1905 at 8am

The Research
I searched the nearest US Census to the postage date which was 1910. The census revealed for Lansford, Carbon County a William S Davis aged 44 years. Born in Wales. He migrated to the US in 1869. His occupation is described as a foreman in a coal mine. Residing with him with was Ella Davis his wife aged 41 years who was born in PA and a daughter Anna aged 19 years, born in PA and a further two children - Ada aged 13 years and William aged 7 years. Both born in PA. The formal address was Banks, Carbon Pennsylvania.

I stepped back to 1900 and looked at the Census again. The were recorded as Banks, Carbon, Pennsylvania and William and wife Ella are described as being married for 11 years, making a marriage circa 1889. The household consists of William's mother Annie Davis aged 61 years and born in Wales, William S is recorded as aged 35 years, Ella aged 31 years, Annie S is aged 10 years and Ada is aged 3 years.

The Census for 1920 reveals a new address - Altoona Ward 7 Blair. The head of the household is Ella Davis aged 65 years. Living with her are Sarah E Davis aged 30 years, Anna M Davis aged 29 years and Charles E Weaver aged 20 years recorded as Grandson and a truck driver.

So that is as far as I have researched. Perhaps someone with a connection to the family will step forward? Are there any records of Lena's trip? Would descendants like the postcard?

Linkwithin

About Me

I am a Surrey girl, who is very proud of her roots, which go back almost 300 years in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. I currently live in the West Country of England, but Surrey is always home! I am also half Italian and thus have an interest in Italian culture and genealogy.

After a career in pharmacy management spanning more than 20 years, I made the decision to look at my options as to where my professional life was heading. I wanted to expand my work portfolio within the training and writing arena; to utilise my historical and research skills along with other qualifications and years of experience. I created The Book of Me, Written by You back in the Autumn of 2012. It threads together the focus of my interests and qualifications. Enabling me to encourage others to think beyond the obvious as we analyse our own lives and those of our close family members.

Copyright

The material, both written and photographic on these pages is the copyright of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest unless stated. Material on this site may be used for personal reference only. If you wish to use any of the material on this site for other means, please seek the written permission of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest.